Friends at last? Castro and Obama enjoy historic first meeting between the two countries in more than half a century as communist leader says: Everything can be on the table
Pair sat side-by-side in a small conference room in Panama City
Obama said he wanted to turn the page on divisions between the nations
But he acknowledged there were still significant differences
Communist leader said he was willing to discuss sensitive issues
But Castro also cautioned that the countries had agreed to disagree
Earlier in the day Castro blamed past U.S presidents for a troubled history
But in a conciliatory tone he said that Obama wasnt one of them
Apologized to the president, describing him as an honest man

By Associated Press and Wills Robinson For Dailymail.com

President Obama has declared his meeting with Cuban leader Raul Castro signals a new era of American engagement in the region.

Speaking at a conference after an historic handshake with Castro, Obama emphasized that Cuba is not a threat.

Obviously there are still going to be deep and significant difference between our two governments, he told reporters.

We will continue to try to lift up concerns around democracy and human rights.

His words came after the two leaders held their first formal meeting in more than half a century, clearing the way for a normalization of relations that had seemed unthinkable to both Cubans and Americans for generations.

Obama and Castro sat side-by-side in a small conference room in Panama City to inject momentum into the effort to restore diplomatic ties.

Obama said he wanted to turn the page on old divisions, but acknowledged that significant differences between the governments would remain.

The communist leader said that everything can be on the table during the discussions, including sensitive issues such as human rights and freedom of the press.

But urged the international community to be patient after more than 50 years of tension between the nations.

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Historic diplomacy: Cuban President Raul Castro and President Barack Obama sat side-by-side in a small conference room in Panama City for the first meeting between the leaders of the two countries in 50 years

Ideological divide: Obama said the meeting was historic and he wanted to turn the page on old divisions - although he acknowledged that significant differences between the governments would remain

Paving the way to normalization: Castro told the U.S. president he was ready discuss sensitive issues including human rights and freedom of the press, saying: Everything can be on the table

This is obviously a historic meeting, Obama said shortly after the two sat down. It was my belief it was time to try something new, that it was important for us to engage with Cuban government.

And more importantly, with Cuban people, the president added.

But he also cautioned that the two countries have agreed to disagree.

We are willing to make progress in the way the president has described, Castro said.

The remarkable gathering played out on the sidelines of the Summit of the Americas, which this year included Cuba for the first time.

Although the meeting wasnt publicly announced in advance, White House aides had suggested the two leaders were looking for an opportunity to meet while in Panama and to discuss the ongoing efforts to open embassies in Havana and Washington, among other issues.

In brief remarks to reporters at the start of the meeting, Obama acknowledged that Cuba, too, would continue raising concerns about U.S. policies.

Earlier in the day, Castro launched into an exhaustive history of perceived Cuban grievances against the U.S. in his speech to fellow leaders attending the summit.

President Obama meets Castro in historic talks

Patience: The communist leader did however express caution, saying the two countries had agreed to disagree. It took place on the sidelines of the Summit of the Americas, the first that Cuba has been invited to

Listening: Castro leans towards his translator as Obama speaks to the watching press

In a speech to the summit earlier on Saturday, Castro absolved President Obama of fault for the U.S. blockade in a stunning reversal of more than 50 years of animosity between the United States and Cuba.

The communist leader said many U.S. presidents were at fault for that troubled history - but that Obama isnt one of them, adding that hes a honest man.

He began the hour-long speech at the Summit of the Americas in Panama passionately, but then apologized for letting his emotions get the best of him, and changed to a more conciliatory tone.

He said: I have told President Obama that I get very emotional talking about the revolution, Castro said through a translator, noting that Obama wasnt even born when the U.S. began sanctioning the island nation. I apologize to him because President Obama had no responsibility for this

a remarkable vote of confidence from a Cuban leader, Castro added: In my opinion, President Obama is an honest man.

Speaking just before Castro, Obama admitted that deep differences between both countries would continue to exist - but urged the pair not to get bogged down in ideology.

The United States will not be imprisoned by the past, he said. Were looking to the future.

The gesture of friendships is an outward symbol of Obamas project to thaw diplomatic relations with Cuba, which have been frozen since the 1960s.

The White House has set expectations for a substantive exchange between Castro, brother of revolutionary leader Fidel, and Obama on Saturday.

Speculation is high that a result of the exchange could be the official removal of Cuba from the State Departments list of state terror sponsors. That removal would also lift some economic sanctions on Cuba.

Castro gives emotional speech asking for Obamas forgiveness

Passionate: Earlier in the day Castro absolved Obama of fault for the U.S. blockade during a hour-long speech at the Summit of the America, but not before he blamed the presidents predecessors for a troubled history

Honest man: The communist leader paid tribute to the President after acknowledging that he hadnt even been born by the time the sanctions began

In the past: Castro began the speech passionately listed a huge number of grievances against the U.S. dating back more than a century

Backtracking: But he then apologized for letting his emotions get the best of him, and changed to a more conciliatory tone

Moving forward: Speaking just before Castro, Obama admitted that deep differences between both countries would continue to exist - but urged the pair not to get bogged down in ideology

Encounter: The remarks just hours before the pair are expected held a historic meeting on Saturday night (not pictured)

Obama and Castro have met once before - at the 2013 funeral of Nelson Mandela in South Africa - but today could mark their first robust, in-person meeting.

The Presidents eventual aim is to restore full diplomatic relations and boost trade and travel between the two countries.

Their rapprochement, first unveiled in a historic policy shift in December, is the central issue at the Summit of the Americas meeting in Panama.

Obama said: As we move towards the process of normalization, well have our differences, government to government, with Cuba on many issues. Just as we differ at times with other nations within the Americas, just as we differ with our closest allies.

But the 53-year-old Obama, who was not even born when Fidel and Raul Castro swept to power in Cubas 1959 revolution, also said the United States is no longer interested in trying to impose its will on Latin America.

CUBANS REACT TO HISTORIC MEETING AND CALL FOR RESULTS

Cubans hailed Saturdays historic meeting between presidents Raul Castro and Barack Obama but said they want to see ties warm faster between the Cold War foes so that the lives of ordinary people on the island can improve.

Havana residents stopped in the middle of errands or family time to watch Castro and Obama shaking hands and addressing the press about their efforts to re-establish diplomatic ties.

In a broadcast seen in homes and business across Cuba, both presidents said they agreed about the need for progress.

Shortly before the meeting, Castro told gathered Latin American leaders that despite the U.S. history of seeking regime change in Cuba, he saw Obama as an honest man who could be trusted because of his humble origins.

A woman looks at the news on the meeting between Cuban President Raul Castro and his US counterpart Barack Obama during the 7th Summit of the Americas in Panama, at her home in Havana, Cuba

Many Cubans are eager to see embassies and, as soon as possible, an opening of greater trade and tourism from the United States that will help Cubas stagnant economy and low salaries

The fact that Raul and Obama sat down to talk in a civilized way after all these years of such serious tensions seems historic to me, said Roger Rodriguez, a university professor.

Irene Quintana, a homemaker, said she was cleaning house when her grandmother called her over to watch the meeting on television.

It seems magnificent to me, incredible. It excited me so much and I think that its hopeful, she said.

The Castro-Obama meeting was the most dramatic development since the two presidents announcement on December 17 that they would release captured spies and restore full diplomatic relations as part of an effort to broadly normalize relations between the two countries.

In a broadcast seen in homes and business across Cuba, both presidents said they need progress

The announcement was greeted inside Cuba by jubilation but emotions have since cooled as the two countries have struggled to strike a deal on the first landmark in normalization - the re-establishment of full embassies in Havana and Washington.

Many Cubans are eager to see embassies and, as soon as possible, an opening of greater trade and tourism from the United States that will help Cubas stagnant economy and the daily struggles of ordinary people whose salaries of $20 a month on average make it tough to put food on the table.

I like that Raul left all the doors open. That seems important to me, Magaly Delgado, a retired office worker, said of Saturdays meeting. Well see if it leads to results.

Rosa Marie Argudin, a street performer, said: Its been years that weve been waiting for something like this. I hope this doesnt just remain a conversation.

Warmth: Obama and Castro shook hands on Friday at the summit, a symbolically charged gesture as the pair seek to restore ties between the Cold War foes

Until next time: The White House said the two men will have a more robust exchange during the meeting on Saturday evening

Obama shakes hands with Cubas Castro

The days in which our agenda in this hemisphere so often presumed that the United States could meddle with impunity, those days are past, he said.

Apart from a couple of brief, informal encounters, the leaders of the United States and Cuba have not had any significant meetings since the Castro brothers toppled U.S.-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista and then steered their Caribbean country into a close alliance with the Soviet Union.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos hailed Obamas push to improve relations with Cuba, saying it was helping to heal a blister that was hurting the region.

However, Cuban dissident Guillermo Farinas said civic groups in Cuba have been sidelined from talks and appealed to Obama to support their push for more democracy.

The Cuban government is showing no goodwill ... They dont want to make any kind of concessions, he said.

Obama, who met with activists from across Latin America, including two Cuban dissidents, appears to be close to removing communist-run Cuba from a U.S. list of countries that it says sponsor terrorism.

Obama recognises summit as a historic occasion

Last time: Obama and Castro are pictured above shaking hands at the funeral of Nelson Mandela, held in Johannesburg, South Africa, in December 2013

Out of the deep freeze: Obama and Castro are expected to talk about their efforts to restore full diplomatic relations and boost trade and travel between the two countries when they meet

Gangs all here: President Barack Obama (far right middle row) and Cubas President Raul Castro (far left middle row) attend the Summit of the Americas opening ceremony

Its inclusion on the list brings a series of automatic U.S. sanctions and Cuba is insisting it be taken off as a condition of restoring diplomatic ties.

Washington imposed trade sanctions on Cuba from 1960 and broke off diplomatic relations in 1961, but the ensuing freeze did it no favors, said Ben Rhodes, Obamas deputy national security adviser.

Our Cuba policy, instead of isolating Cuba, was isolating the United States in our own backyard, he noted.

The two countries have maintained contact through interests sections in Havana and Washington since 1977, and in recent years they have increasingly cooperated on issues such as migration and drug trafficking.

The State Department has now recommended that Cuba be taken off the terrorism list, a U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee aide said.

Obama is expected to agree, although it is not clear whether he will announce it during the summit.

Historic: President Barack Obama (right) waving among Raul Castro other Presidents before the opening ceremony of the VII Americas Summit

Obama has already used his executive authority to ease some trade and travel restrictions, and is seeking to encourage nascent small businesses in Cuba by allowing more exports there.

But only Congress, controlled by Republicans, can remove the overall U.S. economic embargo on the island. The rapprochement by Obama has met some resistance in Washington and among some influential Cuban-Americans.

Critics say Cuba should not be rewarded unless it changes its one-party political system.

While Obamas policy has been widely praised around Latin America, this was tempered last month when his administration imposed sanctions on Venezuela, Cubas closest ally and main benefactor.

That controversy now hangs over the summit this weekend.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro plans to present Obama with a petition signed by millions of people demanding that the sanctions be reversed. He is certain to receive support from Castro and other left-wing leaders in Latin America.

It is no time for imperialism, threats, it is time for peace, co-operation, union, progress, prosperity, Maduro said on arrival